ROCHESTER, NY — An 80-year-old man says he was brought to the ground fighting to protect his car from thieves Monday morning.

Rochester police are investigating the robbery on South Avenue near Alexander Street. James Wilson told News10NBC he was returning home and parked in front of the EL Tower Apartments around 7:40 a.m. He says that’s when the suspects approached him.

“People walking on the sidewalk. I have no reason to suspect them or anything,” Wilson said. “So she said ‘let me get them.’ I said “what are you talking about”. She was talking about my keys. I packed them in my hands. They didn’t take my keys out for three or four minutes. We were fighting. They finally got the keys and just ran away. I assume they ran and got the car because the car is gone.”

RPD asks anyone with information that can help track down the suspects to call 911.